What's the difference between a Medicare broker and a Medicare agent?
Answered by 29 licensed agents
Answered by Lea Ayres on March 12, 2025
Broker Licensed in PA, CT, MD & 8 other states
Answered by Charise Karjala on May 12, 2025
Broker Licensed in CA, AZ, CO, PA & WA
As a broker I do contract with all the Medicare plans but some agents may only have some of them companies. You can ask them who they are all contracted with so you feel you are getting a fair understanding of all options not just the ones they represent.
Answered by Tasha Riggs on May 7, 2025
Broker Licensed in CO, AZ, HI & 10 other states
Answered by William Lawler on March 29, 2025
Broker Licensed in MO, FL, IA & 12 other states
Medicare Brokers, like myself, are able to discuss multiple companies/plan options. You can ask me questions about a few different plans and we can compare your options. This saves you time and allows you to get your answers without calling multiple companies.
Answered by Amy Putrino on May 5, 2025
Agent Licensed in RI, CT, FL & 11 other states
Answered by Bryan Smith on March 10, 2025
Broker Licensed in UT, AL, AR & 35 other states
Answered by Vincent Esposito on March 26, 2025
Broker Licensed in NY, FL & NJ
Answered by Shawn Brown on March 27, 2025
Broker Licensed in FL, AL, CO & 7 other states
There’s not a lot of difference between them.
There’s a captive agent, which means they’re working for the insurance company. They get paid by the insurance company, not usually by commission; it’s usually general pay. So, when you talk to somebody who is working for an insurance Medicare company, they’re going to move you into their plan.
A Medicare agent is a licensed professional. They can find a Medicare plan that will best fit you and your needs.
Then there’s a broker. A broker has other agents usually underneath them, or they have a whole line of insurance carriers that they’re appointed with. They can find out your needs and then turn around and put you in the plan that’s going to fit your needs and benefit you.
I’m a Medicare broker. I have a team below me. I work for you, not the insurance company—and that’s a beautiful thing, by the way. That means I have no motive other than to serve you.
And it doesn’t cost you.
That’s the good news for you.
Answered by Hope Suhr on May 21, 2025
Broker Licensed in CA, AZ, MO & OR, SC, TN & TX
Answered by Bob Greco on May 31, 2025
Agent Licensed in MO, IA & IL
Answered by John Henley on March 28, 2025
Broker Licensed in MS, AL, AR & 5 other states
Answered by Steven Bleicher on May 2, 2025
Broker Licensed in AZ
An agent is an individual who may be captive to 1 company and sell you on their plans.
Answered by Norman Smith on April 1, 2025
Agent Licensed in FL & PA
Brokers handle more plans and give you more options.
Using the Medicare Name is not permitted, especially if you represent yourself as being a representative of Medicare.
Answered by Michael Pyers on March 31, 2025
Broker Licensed in OH & MI
An Independent Broker is someone who can be “appointed” by all of the Insurance Carriers and therefore be in the best position to advise the client. An Independent Broker guides the client to the best Plan that fits their budget, their health situation, their risk level, which Doctors the client sees, and even which Pharmacies the client uses.
Answered by John L Herman Jr on March 26, 2025
Broker Licensed in MD, DE & PA
Answered by Steve Houchens on April 2, 2025
Agent Licensed in KY & TN
A Medicare agent would work directly for Medicare.
Answered by Tammy Stoner on May 14, 2025
Broker Licensed in UT, AK, AZ & 7 other states
Answered by DeeDee Whitlock on May 27, 2025
Broker Licensed in LA
Answered by Bill Zeky on May 19, 2025
Broker Licensed in PA, AL, CO & 10 other states
Answered by Elayne Cotton on May 27, 2025
Agent Licensed in CO & TX
Answered by John Zentner on June 2, 2025
Agent Licensed in CA
I am a broker and I always tell people that everyone is unique and Medicare plans are not a one size fits all. I often times have a couple that I work with and the husband and wife have different plans with different companies due to health issues, medications, doctors, etc.
It is important to see all the options to weigh what is the best situation for you as an individual.
Answered by Jon Maves on April 28, 2025
Broker Licensed in TN, AZ, CA & 9 other states
Answered by Ginger Gibbs on March 31, 2025
Broker Licensed in NV, AZ, CA & 14 other states
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
Medicare Broker:
Independent:
Brokers work independently and aren't tied to a single insurance company.
Multiple Providers:
They can sell policies from a variety of insurance companies, allowing them to present a broader range of plans to you.
Comprehensive Advice:
Their ability to represent multiple companies allows them to provide a more comprehensive understanding of different plan options and their suitability for your specific needs.
Fee Structure:
Brokers are typically paid by the insurance companies they represent, so there's usually no extra fee or cost for you when enrolling in a plan through a broker.
Medicare Agent:
Company Affiliated:
Agents generally work for a specific insurance company and can only sell policies from that company.
Limited Plan Options:
Their ability to offer plan options is limited to the plans offered by their insurance company.
Specific Expertise:
They may have in-depth knowledge of the plans offered by their specific company but may lack a broader understanding of the overall Medicare market.
Fee Structure:
Agents are paid commissions by the insurance company for each enrollment, and this is typically factored into your premium.
Answered by Fred Manas on May 23, 2025
Agent Licensed in NY, CT, DC & 7 other states
Answered by Steve Brauer on June 3, 2025
Broker Licensed in AZ & CA
Answered by Mel Stevens on May 12, 2025
Broker Licensed in AZ
A Medicare Agent is someone who works for Medicare directly.
Answered by Gary Haft on June 2, 2025
Agent Licensed in FL, AL, DC & 9 other states
1. Most states don't have official separate licensing called a broker license. A few may.
Listing to the public as broker most of the time doesn't mean an official separate license title different from licensed agent. It's a way to attempt to signal they are contracted to sell products from more than one insurance company. Note: I taught insurance pre-licensing and continuing education for 12 years.
2. Any licensed insurance professional selling Medicare plans has to follow certain rules. If they are doing marketing for specific Medicare plans they (whether listing as agent or broker) are required to state how many insurance companies they offer and how many total policy options they have in the specific designated marketing area for all the companies represented.
Answered by Phyllis Dixon on April 28, 2025
Agent Licensed in VA, MD & SC
Answered by Marisol Torres on March 26, 2025
Broker Licensed in IL, CA, FL & 19 other states
Tags: Agent Interview New To Medicare
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